Guide to Voting in Orange County

         -Prepared by County of Orange Registrar of Voters
                           (714)567-7600
                  Telecommunication for the Deaf
                           (714)567-7608


                     Who may register to vote?

You may register to vote at any time throughout the year. However,
you must be registered to vote at least 29 days prior to an
election to vote in that election.

You are eligible to vote if:

  -You are at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the 
   next election, and

  -You are a citizen of the United States, and

  -You are a resident of California, and

  -You are not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction.

If you move into Orange County within 28 days of an election and
have a valid registration in another California county, you may
vote by returning to your former county or by using an absent voter
ballot from your former county.

If you change your address in Orange County within 28 days of an
election, and you are registered at your previous address, you
may vote by returning to your former precinct or by using an
absent voter ballot using your previous address.


                  When should you re-register to vote?

You need to re-register to vote only if:

  -You have moved to Orange County and never registered in 
   Orange County

  -You have moved within Orange County since you last registered.

  -You have changed your name since you last registered.

  -You wish to change your political party affiliation.

                   Where to register

You may register to vote at any time using a postcard registration
form. You may also register in person at the Registrar of Voters
office located at 1300 South Grand Avenue, Building C, Snata Ana.
Postcard registration forms are available at several hundred
locations in the county. Some of these include:

  -City Clerks Offices

  -Post Offices

  -Department of Motor Vehicles

  -Libraries

  -County Offices

  -High Schools

You may also phone the Registrar of Voters to request that a postcard
registration form be mailed to you. The number to call is (714)567-7600.


                       Voting by absentee ballot

 Any registered voter may apply for an Absent Voter Ballot by sending
a letter of request  to the Registrar of Voters office. The letter
must include your name and address as registered, your signature, and 
the address where the ballot is to be mailed. You may also fill out
the application for Absent Voters Ballot on the back cover of the
sample ballot you receive in the mail. All applications for an absent
Voter Ballot by mail must be received by the Registrar of Voters office at
least 7 days prior to the election.

When you have voted the ballot, you may mail it or return it personally
to the Registrar of Voters office or to any polling place in Orange County
on election day.

Your Absent Voter Ballot must be returned before the close of polls on
election day. Absent Voter Ballots are available as early as 29 days
prior to the election.

                      Permanent Absent Voter

Certain disabled voters may apply for status as a Permanent Absent Voter.
To be eleigible to apply, a voter must have lost, or lost the use of,
one or more limbs; lost, or lost use of, both hands; be unable to move
about without the aid of an assistant device, such as canes, crutches,
walker, or wheelchair; be suffering from lung disease, blindness, or 
cardiovascular disease; have a significant limitation in the use of the 
lower extremities; or be suffering from a diagnosed disease or disorder
which substantially impairs or interferes with the voters mobility.

To apply, a voter must complete an application. You may obtain an
application by calling (714)567-7600. Voters who are listed as Permanent
Absent Voters will be automatically mailed an absent voter ballot every
time there is an election in their precinct. Any Permanent Absent Voter
who fails to return an executed absent voter ballot for any statewide
direct primary or general election will have his/her name removed from
the list of Permanent Absent Voters. All absent voter ballots must be 
returned before the close of polls on election day.

             Precinct Officers and polling places needed

If you are a registered voter and available to spend election day
serving as a precinct officer at a polling place in your area, the
Registrar of Voters needs your services. The Registrar's office depends
on the thousands of public spirited people who serve as precinct
officers each election. An honorarium is paid to individuals serving as
precinct officers.

The Registrar of Voters also pays individuals for the use of their
private facility as a polling place; i.e., home, clubhouse, business.
Since the county continues to grow, new polling places are constantly 
needed. If you serve as a precinct officer in your own home, you will
be paid for serving as a precinct officer and for the use of your home
as a polling place.

If you are interested in becoming a  precinct officer and/or having your
facility be considered as a polling place, call (714)567-7580 for
further information